BACKGROUND

WEST AFRICAN NETWORK ON ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND TRAINING (WANOART) is a transnational network of Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Benin Republic founded in March, 2009 to build capacity and expertise in organic agriculture in the West Africa sub- region of Africa. The activities of WANOART are centred on building institutional capacity for organic agriculture in West Africa, coordinating organic agricultural research activities, advocacy and training in organic agriculture principles and practice. It is in the light of the above vision and responsibilities that this workshop is being organized.

AIMS AND SCOPE

It is anticipated that the trainers and trainees already have some agricultural background and that the training activities will focus on aspects specifically relevant to organic agriculture.

WEST AFRICAN NETWORK OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND TRAINING (WANOART) The TOT will attempt to provide a comprehensive introduction to all relevant fields related to organic agriculture. However, it does not provide in-depth practical know-how for organic management of specific crops or animals.

OBJECTIVES

Contribute to human resources / expertise development in organic agriculture in tropical West Africa

Build a cadre of trainers to train people OUTPUT

Critical mass of trainers in organic agriculture in West Africa sub region

Capacity building in organic agriculture IMPACT

The Institutions / agencies of these trainers are expected to develop demonstration plots

Large number of trained manpower created in West Africa in due course of time.

Accelerated development of the organic agriculture sub-sector in West Africa

 TARGET GROUPS

The TOT will address trainers and resource persons who will be engaged in training activities on organic agriculture. It will accommodate directly farmers interested in learning about organic agriculture and extension workers. The focus will be on crop and animal production as well as fisheries.

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

The catchment of the TOT workshop will be the West Africa sub region, though the workshop can also be applied to other regions. Therefore, the TOT will address topics of general relevance .

TRAINING APPROACH

The TOT will be based on a training approach combining lectures, illustrations and demonstrations, and active participation of the trainees. A balanced mix of these elements will allow understanding of organic agriculture through listening, seeing, hands-on experience and experience sharing.

It is assumed that participants can contribute to the program of the training based on their background and experience. Therefore, interactive elements and practical exposure (field visits) in the course will be highly encouraged.

WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE

1. Principles of Organic Agriculture

2. Soil Fertility

3. Plant Nutrition

4. Pest, Disease and Weed Management

5. Animal Husbandry

6. Animal health

7. Organic Fish production and management

8. Farm Economy and Entrepreneur

9. Post harvest, processing and value addition

10. Organic quality control/ certification

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Farmers, teachers and students of agriculture, consumers, NGOs, agricultural extension officers, policy makers, etc.

PARTICIPATION FEE:

Ghanaians : Gh ¢ 500

Non-Ghanaians: US $ 500

ACCOMMODATION:

Hotel (Bed & Breakfast) are available at US $ 30-60 per night.

For any further information, contact any of the following members of the Local Organizing Committee:

Prof. S. A. Osei: saosei@yahoo.com OR saosei.canr@knust.edu.gh

+233-208 168 547

Dr. J. Sarkodie-Addo: jaddosak@yahoo.com

Mrs. Patience Kaledzi: padzikal@yahoo.com